A/N: Hello. I know it's been awhile. I just made a personal revelation. I'd like to say that I've discovered that I'm bisexual. Thank you. (Oh, and I finally saw RENT live!!)
Disclaimer: I own Alyssa, Meg, and Jake ONLY!
Dedication: In memory of Jonathon Larson, and RENT. May he rest in peace knowing what a huge success his musical was. Also, dedicated to all the friends that are getting me through all this right now. I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!
Collins' funeral was the following week. The boho's dressed appropriately, all in black. Like at Angel and Mimi's funerals, they stepped forward one by one to speak. Benny was first.
"Uh…Collins? It's me, Benny. Look, I know I've been an asshole, but I remember when we were roommates. It was me, you, Mark, and Maureen. Remember Maureen's crazy antics? And you and I would sit there laughing. I remember when you met Angel. She was the strangest girl I've met, besides Maureen, but she was amazing to you. I will admit, you two did make a nice couple. I hope you're happy now, Collins. God bless, and let Mimi know I'm thinking of her." He stepped down, nearly holding back a tear.
Alyssa was next. "Collins, we didn't know each other for long. Still, in that time, I got to know you. I remember when we first met. You looked so sad, because you missed Angel so badly. Well…I hope you're happy with her now. I regret that I never got to meet her. She sounds like such a nice, loving person. Why do the good always have to die young? Why…never mind. Rest well, Collins."
Mark stepped up. "Hey, Collins. God, I never thought this day would be so soon. It crept up on us, like…well, like a virus. I remember when we first met, at the loft, when we first moved in. We quickly became best friends. Remember when Maureen took all her clothes off and gave me a lap dance? You just laughed and laughed. Look, I know how much you loved Angel. Tell her we said hi. Oh, and tell Mimi and April we say hi, too. I…love you, dude. You were like a brother to me, and you always will be." He stepped down, and gave Joanne a quick squeeze, also giving Maureen a sad smile and a peck on the cheek.
Joanne stepped up to the podium. "Gosh…this is so difficult. Collins, baby, we became so incredibly close, ever since we met. I remember that night. It was right after Maureen's protest, at the Life. You, I, Maureen, and Angel being the "gays" of the group shared a bond. You became like, a brother to me, to all of us. I can't imagine how you felt when Angel died. We were all devastated; it came so fast. Here one day, and gone the next day. When we heard the news that you were sick, I began praying that you wouldn't be next. Sadly, you were. God bless you, Collins. I love you always, hon. Give Angel and Mimi my regards. Oh, and tell them that Maureen and I are adopting, so there might be a new chica in the boho family!" There were only two boho's left. Roger was next. He squeezed Alyssa's hand, and made his way up.
"Collins…my GOD. WHY is this happening? Everyone I love and care for is being taken away from me so soon! First, April, the woman I first fell in love with, killed herself. Then Angel, the sweetest person I knew, was robbed from us. Then, my second love, Mimi, died the same way Angel and you did. Now, you're dead!" Roger started crying. "Rest in peace, Collins. Give Mimi and April kisses from me, and tell Angel I said 'hey'. Love you…" His voice trailed off, and tears started flowing freely down his face.
Maureen shakily made her way up to the podium, hugging Roger tightly as he stepped down. She took a deep breath, and sighed. It was plain to see that the drama queen hadn't gotten any sleep. Her eyes were red and bloodshot; her brown hair matted and dirty. She took another breath, and began to speak:
"Why me, God? Collins, you were my best friend in the whole world. We hit it off the minute we met, in high school. You were sitting alone, and these idiots were making fun of you, calling you 'queer' and 'fag'. I just walked up to them, and took care of them! We became friends after that. Then…we moved in with Mark and Benny, after high school. I met Maureen, and you met Angel. One by one, our friends started to…die. First, it was April. God, oh, God, I had never seen that much blood before. Then…Angel. Oh, Angel, baby. I remember how original she was. She loved you so, so much, Collins. I knew how hurt you were when she died. Not even a year later, it was Mimi. Mimi was the sweetest girl I ever met! Then, oh…then, you, baby, were taken from me. It was like losing a brother, a best friend, and it hurts so bad. I can't believe this family is dying so fast. There's only Jo, Benny, Mark, Roger, and I left of the original family. Now, though, we have Alyssa. Still, who next? Roger? Mark? Me? Still, rest in peace, baby. Give Angel a big smoochie for me, and tell everyone that we miss them terribly. I will always love you, Collins," she said, her voice breaking. Joanne swept her into her waiting arms, and held her tight through the tears. At the graveyard, all were crying as the casket was lowered into the ground. "I can't believe this is goodbye," Maureen whispered.
Roger led Alyssa aside, both crying softly.
"Alyssa," he said.
"Yes?" she asked, her focus on the rows of headstones.
Roger took a box out of his pocket, and then put it back. This wasn't the right time, or the right place for that.
"What is it?" Alyssa asked, turning to face him.
"Oh…nothing, it's nothing," he said quickly, putting his arm around her shoulders. Maureen came storming by.
"What is it, Mo?" Roger asked.
"My best friend is fucking DEAD, that's what's up!" she screamed. Joanne came up behind her.
"She's been in denial up until now. It only just caught up with her that he's gone," Joanne explained.
"He CAN'T be gone!" Maureen screamed. "He just CAN'T be!"
"Sweetie, he is. I hurts us, too," Alyssa said, trying to calm Maureen down.
"No, you don't UNDERSTAND! Your BEST FRIEND isn't fucking DEAD! Here one day, gone the next, all because of this…fucking VIRUS!"
Alyssa grimaced. "My husband died, and he was my best friend. I know what it's like, believe me," her voice cracking on "me".
Maureen's face fell. "I'm sorry. That doesn't change the fact that Collins is dead, though!" and stormed off towards the street. Joanne turned to Alyssa and Roger.
"I'm sorry. I'll try to talk to her later," she said apologetically.
"She just needs time," Alyssa said. "She'll come around."
Jo sighed. "I hope so. Well, I better go get her. Bye, guys."
"Bye," Alyssa and Roger said. They walked hand-in-hand back to Alyssa's place. They had a date that night. Little did she know what surprise Roger had for her…
Ooh, I'm evil with these cliffhangers, aren't I? Wah hahahaha. Ha. Ha. Ok, I'm done evilly laughing now. PLEASE, read and review! It would mean a lot to me right now, what with all that I'm going through. I know, it was short, but I was stuck on the ending. I wanted some Maureen drama, and I wanted to end it on a better note, but then it kinda went blahhh. Ah, well. ARE you going to R&R? OHHH I love this song!! Sorry, I just downloaded the RENT OBC off iTunes last Monday, and I (almost) haven't stopped listening to it!
Chips anyone? LOL!